Hey everyone. I'm new around here, but I figured I would just go ahead and post this.

This summer, (from mid-June to late July) I will be going to Kanazawa, Japan, on a language program for my school. I have never been to Japan before (or outside the U.S. for that matter), so as you can imagine I'm quite excited about having such an opportunity.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew some cool or interesting places to visit or see in or near Kanazawa. Anything from malls, museums, theaters, restaurants, events, or other attractions will help me figure out some things to do while there. The only place that I know to go would be the beautiful Kenroku-en. Also, if anyone has advice (although I've read just about every tip there is) for visiting specifically the Kanazawa area, please let me know!

I spent a couple of days in Kanazawa this time last year. Kenrokuen is a must see although it wasn't at its best when I was there because of the time of year. Kanazawa castle is also well worth a look. It is mostly a reconstruction but gives an interesting insight into the building methods used.

The Nagamachi district near the castle is where the samurai used to live and is also worth a look. There is also a geisha district but I didn't get around to seeing it.

As far as malls go the only one I went into was the Forus one next to Kanazawa station (and opposite the hotel I stayed in). It was mostly fashion/clothes stores but also a number of places to eat.

Old tree in kenrokuen

Kenrokuen.jpg (129.24 KiB) Viewed 2246 times

Don't complain to me that people kick you when you're down. It's your own fault for lying there

Hi Ace, are you doing a short study program at Kanazawa University by any chance?

Things to see:
Ninjadera (忍者寺） - 'Ninja Temple' - nothing to do with Ninjas but worth a look. An old building with lots of trapdoors and hidden rooms
Katamachi (片町） - where all the bars are
Torou Nagashi (灯篭流し) - (held on June 6th. Part of the "Hyakkumangoku Festival") A festival where they float paper lanterns down the river. Absolute must see. Everyone is out in kimono and traditional dress, drinking beers in the warm summer twilight watching hundreds of lanterns floating. I got some fantastic photos from this.
A performance at the Noh Theatre
Hot House

The 百万石まつり (Hyakkumangoku Festival) in mid June is the biggest cultural event of the year. Hopefully you can see it- they have a big parade and lots of other events before and after it (like the lantern festival above)

You'll probably get shown around everything in central Kanazawa as part of your programme, but a trip up the Noto penninsular is also interesting. Some nice coastal scenery and towns up there. A trip out to Mt 白山 can be nice too in good weather

I was studying in Kanazawa for a year..Its beautiful place with lott of greenery I was staying in Kanazawa Daigaku kokusai kouryuu Kaikan...Its very traditional old city...As you have mentioned before Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, Korinbo are good places to visit..Then near to Kanazawa there is a place called "notou hantou" it very beutiful with the nice seashore...

Konstantin wrote:Takayama is one of the cool places to visit near Kanazawa. Take a train/bus there and taste the famous Takayama beef.

I went from Takayama to Kanazawa by train (bus where the train line was closed because of rock falls ) via Toyama and it took over 4 hours. If you are going to be in Kanazawa for about six weeks (from mid-June to late July) it would be well worth a weekend trip.

I think you'll find that the famous beef is called "Hida Beef" (飛騨牛)

The beef was very tasty as was the hand made soba noodles we had in the "old town".

Don't complain to me that people kick you when you're down. It's your own fault for lying there

As it turns out, due to new information (or perhaps my trouble with dates) check-in is on June 4. Hopefully they will take us around the city for a few days to see all the festivities going on. I can't wait!